Friday, October 5, 2012

We’ve
had to (or will have to) deal with others in the workplace who we simply don’t
like. Most of the time, these people bring it on themselves by not doing their
job, being negative, or treating others with rudeness and disrespect. Other
times, there is a person whose personality just doesn’t mesh with yours or you
simply can’t relate to each other. Thankfully, these difficult people are
usually not the norm, but every now and then, you are bound to come across
them. You certainly can’t afford to quit your job because of one person, and
you still want to enjoy your job despite this situation. So what can you do?
There are ways to make this situation more bearable for you and the other
person.

First and foremost, don’t use counterproductive
coping methods: rolling your eyes, sighing, walking away when they talk to you,
etc. These are passive actions that will only make things worse. Steer clear of
negative comments and don’t join in other people’s conversations about this
person. While you don’t have to like them, you do have to respect them and this
is not the way to show respect. Monitor your end of the conflict and make sure
you don’t take your frustrations with this person out on other coworkers Keep
in mind that sometimes, you have to interact with this person because you did
not choose to work at the same company, you just happen to do so. If the
problem is over one incident, do your best to resolve the issue before the
resentment grows. Let the working environment stay neutral and don’t let on to
your opinion of this person. Remember, if the person truly isn’t doing their
job, the consequences will occur without any action on your part.

There are things you should do that can have a positive effect on this relationship. If
this strained relationship is with someone who works for you, it may be because
they are better suited for a different role in the company. Identifying this
and making adjustments may solve the problem altogether. If you decide to try
to work things out, do so in a situation where you will feel comfortable and
don’t have to compete with them, such as a lunch outing. If you see them
struggling with something that you could definitely help them fix, you should
do so. You should also think about how you contribute to the problem. When you
do need to interact with the person, make conversations short and to-the-point.
You could even write down your thoughts or questions for them before you speak
to them. If possible, find a mediator to talk to that person for you. If the
person really becomes a problem, be assertive and go to your supervisor because
at this point, chances are, you’re not the only one who sees an issue here.
Finally, if the person was in good standing with you in the past and you are
wondering how to patch things up, decide if the relationship is worth the
effort or if you should just let it go.

Sometimes, dealing with co-worker relationships is
not easy—just be respectful and try to make the best out of the situation. You
can’t control them, but you can control you. Make it happen!